So, just watched the movie. I don't know about racist, but they are incredibly annoying and a waste of screen time and money. They had 3 Arcee's, I wouldn't have minded if one of them would've traveled with the group. I just can't fathom how they thought it'd be a good idea to waste so much time on them, when you got a new badass like Sideswipe around.

I'm not the sensitive type at all when it comes to race in movies but this was offensive. There was no reason for them to have monkey faces. They're use of language including "pussy" was just uncalled for and stupid. None of the other Transformers looked like that. And I don't know how it was in other theaters but people didn't laugh at them very much in mine.

Can you explain to me how the word "pussy" was used in the film? Like in what context.

If it was used to describe a vagina then I can agree that might be a bit much for a PG-13 but if it was someone calling someone else a pussy I don't see the problem.

I can't speak for everyone but when I hear someone call another person a pussy I don't instantly think of Vagina but "wuss" or "weakling". I think it's safe to say(at least with a lot of people I know) that it's become one of those terms that has been used so much and for so long that it's not always connected to the true meaning of the word.

I love how everyone is pulling every weapon out against this film(especially Devin over at Chud, I mean ok you gave it a bad review, now it's all about convincing everyone that you hit the nail on the head lolz)

I'm "black"

personally I have 3 thoughts on all of this

1. there are more then just 2 black transformers in this film. Optimus is as black as they come,(he's gangster, and no one steps to him cause he doesn't take no mess)...BUT, people only notice the characters with the "sterotype" (says more about the audience than the producers if you ask me)

2. Why can their be dozens of films with less then prestigious black characters doing funny, "stereotypical" things in them and no one says a word, especially of racism ie all the tyler perry films, barbershop, the Friday films...etc
but bay has some movies with black comedy elements and he's a "wrong doer"

is it because he's white?

3.it's summer fun, let it be, it's not like it's a michael moore film and he's trying to say something
The only people I see being affected by the characters are uptight tight rope walking caucasians, who feel it's their place to tell me when I should be offended. People who hate bay and will jump on the hate wagon, and of course maybe klan members who will hate the film for having characters, they see with stereotypes they imposed into society being heroes.

the average black audience will enjoy the so called "black" humor elements in this as much as they bad boys one or the boondocks show.
In fact, it will give them something to grab onto (bays films make money...)

Can you explain to me how the word "pussy" was used in the film? Like in what context.

If it was used to describe a vagina then I can agree that might be a bit much for a PG-13 but if it was someone calling someone else a pussy I don't see the problem.

I can't speak for everyone but when I hear someone call another person a pussy I don't instantly think of Vagina but "wuss" or "weakling". I think it's safe to say(at least with a lot of people I know) that it's become one of those terms that has been used so much and for so long that it's not always connected to the true meaning of the word.

^So basically giant robots that transform into vehicles and fight each other wasn't accessible enough for them.

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If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses. - Henry Ford
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Who the **** makes a movie and while planning it is like, "you know what this needs...is some Greg Kinnear."

Theres nothing to blame, they werent racist or stereotypical of any culture, in essence.. they where stupid robots & thats where the discussion really ends in my head..

Anyone who implys that because the robots act a certain way they are making fun of black people is the racist themselves for applying such a steriotype.

The lead article the OP quotes, the writer mentions that because they have a lack of reading & act the way they do its racist.. so therefore he is the person thats effectivly trying to steriotype all black people by insinuating that black people can't read..

This argument is so retarded its unbelievable.. they wheren't racist, anyone who says they are is a moron..

Theres nothing to blame, they werent racist or stereotypical of any culture, in essence.. they were stupid robots & thats where the discussion really ends in my head..

Indeed - that's what I meant. Bay is to blame for their stupidity and their annoying presence throughout the film. I don't think Bay's racist. He's just guilty of giving two incredibly stupid characters a huge role when other more interesting robots were relegated to the background.

Quote:

This argument is so retarded its unbelievable.. they weren't racist, anyone who says they are is a moron..

Hmmm -- what if I said that anyone who didn't think the Twins were stupid was a moron?

Cole: I heard that the gold tooth was Michael Bay’s idea, but do you have any response to those who found The Twins offensive?

Orci: Number one, we sympathize. Yes, the gold tooth was not in the script, that’s true.

Kurtzman: It’s really hard for us to sit here and try to justify it. I think that would be very foolish, and if someone wants to be offended by it, it’s their right. We were very surprised when we saw it, too, and it’s a choice that was made. If anything, it just shows you that we don’t control every aspect of the movie.

Cole: Were you offended by them?

Kurtzman: I wasn’t thrilled. I certainly wasn’t thrilled.

Orci: Yeah, same reaction. I’m not easily offended, but when I saw it, I thought, ‘Someone’s gonna write about that.’”

If the writers can see the writing on the wall I guess the reactions aren't too far off base.

I hardly care about the transformers element of the discussion. But the idea that seems to be coalescing in some of the arguements here, although I understand not directly said, is that negative stereotypes are not damaging or upsetting. Thats just a little foreign to me. If someone who can identify themself as a member of a specific group, be it mormons, men, women, people with ADD, fat people, muslims, or specific races, constantly sees themself in popular culture as primarily one thing, thats powerful. There are a lot of people recovering from anorexia, there are sex addicts, and there are men who abuse and women who have been abused; those who fit the mold or would argue at length that to a great extent we are what we eat.

I dont think malice is a necessity for something to be racist. I doubt Bay meant anything by the Twins portrayal. Many people today are saying/creating/doing things that have racist undercurrents because they are ignorant, as in the "uninformed" definition. Thats why you hear so many scholars on the subject of race constantly saying "more dialogue" is needed.

How so? The only ones griping about this are white reviewers. True, there aren't any black movie reviewers around that aren't really well known, but I have yet to see any black people online gripe about this, or in person upon seeing the commercials.

oh I though he was talking about people in general. anyway I'm seeing the movie this weekend. But back to the subject I don't see any point in making a big deal about this. What do they hope to get, more people that are cry babies to not see the movie. I'm a huge fan of Transformers and I want the movie to do well. What there doing is rude.

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Theres nothing to blame, they werent racist or stereotypical of any culture, in essence.. they where stupid robots & thats where the discussion really ends in my head..

Anyone who implies that because the robots act a certain way they are making fun of black people is the racist themselves for applying such a stereotype.

The lead article the OP quotes, the writer mentions that because they have a lack of reading & act the way they do its racist.. so therefore he is the person thats effectively trying to stereotype all black people by insinuating that black people can't read..